evergreen tree
Incense Cedar: pruning, storm risk and removal
Calocedrus decurrens. Also called California incense cedar, White cedar, Pencil cedar.
Plain-English notes for homeowners, plus field notes for tree crews. General guidance only: for one specific tree, have a local insured pro look at it.
Incense Cedar at a glance
| Height | 50-100 ft, taller in forests |
|---|---|
| Spread | 8-20 ft |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| USDA zones | 5-8 |
| Lifespan | Typically 400-500 years in forests, shorter in yards |
| Type | Evergreen |
| Native range | Mountain and foothill forests of Oregon, California, western Nevada and northern Baja California, often mixed with pines and firs |
| Roots | Fairly deep and spreading when the soil allows. The tree handles dry summers well once established but dislikes soggy ground and soil that has been compacted or raised. |
| Wood | Light, soft, fragrant and resistant to decay. It is a classic wood for pencils. It is not a common firewood. |
| Storm risk | lowThe narrow, upright shape sheds snow and wind well. Older trees often have hidden heart rot, and rot-weakened trunks and tops can break in storms. |
Typical ranges, not guarantees. Soil, water, space and care change how a tree grows. Storm risk is our general rating for the species, not an inspection.
For homeowners
Caring for a incense cedar
Best time to prune
Late fall through winter, or in summer for light work. Remove dead and broken branches. A single leader grows naturally, so little structural pruning is needed.
Avoid pruning
Avoid heavy cuts into bare wood. Like many conifers, it rarely regrows from old wood, so do not top or hedge it. Avoid pruning in wet weather.
More on timing: when to prune trees.
- Plant it where it has room to grow tall. It looks good as a screen or a feature tree on a big lot.
- Water deeply during dry summers when it is young. Mature trees handle drought better.
- Do not shear it into a hedge. The inner wood does not sprout back.
- Keep sprinklers off the trunk and keep the soil well drained to avoid root disease.
Safety first
Do not climb a tree or use a chainsaw on storm-loaded or broken wood. If a tree or limb is touching power lines, stay away and call the utility. If someone is in danger, call 911. For anything big, hire a local insured pro: read how to hire a tree service and is my tree dangerous?
Lirevon does not do tree work. Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews, then get two or three written quotes.
For tree crews
Field notes: working on incense cedar
- 1Sound the trunk and look for conks, fluting and cavities. Old trees often rot from the inside.
- 2Do not cut into bare wood on trees you plan to keep. Cedar rarely recovers.
- 3Watch for narrow, tall tops that sway more than expected once cuts are made.
- 4Foliage and bark can irritate skin or throats for some workers. Wear gloves and a mask in dusty work.
Removal notes
Mature trees can be very tall and narrow with a lot of weight in the trunk. Pocket rot is common in older trees, so test the wood before relying on it and consider a crane. The foliage makes fragrant debris with flat sprays that chip well. Heartwood resists rot, so some owners ask to keep sound sections.
Wood
Light, soft, fragrant and resistant to decay. It is a classic wood for pencils. It is not a common firewood.
Pricing this job? Try the tree job estimator. Follow your own safety plan and crew training on every job.
Common problems for incense cedar
Pests and diseases to watch for. Each link explains signs and what to do.
Trees often mistaken for it
Check the leaves, bark and shape before you decide how to prune or treat.
Where incense cedar grows
Native range: Mountain and foothill forests of Oregon, California, western Nevada and northern Baja California, often mixed with pines and firs
Common in these US regions. Tap one to see other trees there.
Free tools for this tree
They run in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Results are estimates.
Incense Cedar: common questions
How tall does an incense cedar grow?
In a yard it often reaches 50 to 80 feet and stays quite narrow. In its native forests it can grow well over 100 feet.
Is incense cedar a true cedar?
No. It is in the cypress family, not the true cedar group. Its flat, scale-like foliage and fragrant wood look cedar-like, which is where the name came from.
Why is my incense cedar turning brown?
Common causes are drought, overwatering, root rot, and salt or soil damage. A tree with brown inner foliage in fall can be normal, since older leaves shed. Browning of the whole tree needs a closer look by an arborist.
Can I use incense cedar as a privacy screen?
Yes, on a large lot. It grows slowly into a tall, narrow shape. Plant at the spacing advised by your local nursery and do not shear it flat.
Does incense cedar rot inside?
Older trees often get a pocket rot in the heartwood that gives the wood a pecky look. The tree can stay alive for a long time but may be weak, so old trees near buildings should be checked.
When should I remove an incense cedar?
When it is dead, leaning, badly decayed, or close to a building or power line. A certified arborist can inspect it and give written advice. Get two or three written quotes.
More trees in the same regions
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